In the present paper, we focused on toys depicting physical disabilities and their potential role as inclusive educational means in kindergartens. We tested The Mere Exposure Effect and the Contact Theory (previously suggested as explanatory mechanisms underlying more favorable attitudes toward disability) by using toys depicting physical…

This study assessed the effect of a teacher professional development (PD) programme that incorporated culturally responsive teaching on Chinese kindergarten teachers' perceptions of learning motivation of ethnic minority (EM) vs. Chinese pupils in Hong Kong. The moderating role of classroom ethnic composition was examined. Forty-five teachers in…

Purpose: This study aims to examine the perceptions of undergraduate students studying early childhood education who took an academic course in which transformative pedagogy is adopted as part of a holistic approach designed to create transformative change and strengthen the students' self-efficacy for sustainability, and thus, help reduce the…

The goals of the present study were to compare the reliability and convergent validity of two reading attitude measures for beginning readers and to get more insight into children's reading attitude around the transition to formal reading instruction. 468 children in kindergarten and Grade 1 completed a more traditional questionnaire based on…

The relationships students form with their teachers are critical to children's early school adjustment and later school success. While previous research has relied on teachers' single-point ratings of student-teacher relationship (STR) quality, this study included data provided by children and teachers at two time-points in the kindergarten year.…

This study evaluates TeacherServer, a generative AI platform for educators, focusing on its effectiveness and usability. Using the Teachers' Acceptance of AI in Education (TAAI) framework, it assesses teachers' perceptions before and after workshops with 148 K-12 teachers from Florida. Results show a notable improvement in teachers' acceptance of…

Background: At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, schools closed across the United States. Given the impact of virtual learning and lost access to school resources, schools eventually reopened with COVID-19 mitigation protocols in place. This qualitative study sought to understand parental perceptions of school-based COVID-19 mitigation…

The current study explored changes in first-year teacher self-efficacy of 77 teachers in Virginia during COVID-19. Data included four survey times (August, October, February, and June) to measure changes in first-year teacher self-efficacy. The results found that teacher self-efficacy was highest entering the school year but significantly…

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of a family-centered intervention delivered during early elementary school, the Family Check-Up (FCU), in supporting parents' use of proactive parenting skills and the role that parental self-efficacy has in promoting proactive parenting. We predicted both direct and mediated effects of the FCU…

As language classrooms become increasingly diverse, educators face a daily challenge of navigating linguistic, cultural, and learning differences among students from different cultures and backgrounds. The diverse language environment, which many educators perceive to be challenging to manage, also presents valuable opportunities for implementing…

Using data from a 2-year empirical project in an urban school within the United States, this article describes how educators of preschool, transitional-kindergarten and kindergarten (PreK-TK-K) altered perceptions and practices as a result of participating in a purposefully crafted professional learning community using collaborative enquiry.…

Through the lens of transformative learning theory, this qualitative study examines how pre-service teachers (PSTs) in a teacher education program in rural Appalachia shared their perspectives on their preparation to work with diverse students. It examines how their lived experiences and their teacher education program impacted their approach to…

The fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) are being refined to prepare learners for 21st-century careers. The jobs in the STEM fields are on the rise, but there is still a lack of representation of women in these fields. Gender stereotypes and biased viewpoints on gender may prevent female interest and success in STEM…

Developing computational thinking (CT) skills at an early age can help develop literacy, science, and mathematics skills; however, CT instruction in grades K-2 remains limited. This study examined the perceptions of 45 K-2 teachers from 30 school districts before and after a CT professional development (PD) experience. The PD included two online…

Introduction: In recent years, teaching is no longer perceived only as a job, but as a profession. The study focuses on student's view on the teacher's profession, which is important in the context of becoming a teacher. During their university studies, student teachers are at the beginning of their professional careers. Their attitudes, values…